Why does moving the Temp Dial to cold turn on the A/C?

Confirmed.. Knob all the way to the left in the detent, AC compressor is on and will not cut off by pressing the button until the knob is rotated off the detent. You can turn off the recirc with the knob in the full left position.

I guess it made sense to someone who wears a plaid shirt with a pocket protector..

 

Dude, I think this is exactly what I'm looking for! Thanks

 

I did both the "AC Max" and defrost disable mods on my '14. Both work as advertised.

 

Our 2007 Sienna, 2008 lexus and the 2014 tacoma we have all work this way as well as all the past dodge caravans and 2 previous sienna's I have owned.
Those are just the ones I can remember that for sure worked this way. I also recall my parents Cadillac's worked the same way.
Don't drive a ford and can't remember what the Sears vans I drove did so can't comment there.
So many vehicles are this way maybe not most.

 

I see a new Ford Ranger in your future.

 

My 2nd Gen said “Max Cold” or A/C so obviously going all the way over is to turn on the A/C

 

Major issues are a bitch...

 

Just to keep this going; my 05 did NOT do this.

 

Reminds me of the old joke -

Guy walks into the doctor’s office, stands on one leg, lifts his other knee as high as he can, and proclaims:
“Doc it hurts when I do that!”
Doc says: “Well don’t do that!”

 

Correct
It appears the 2nd gen before the facelift did not have this feature. I went back and looked at pics of my old 2006 and it didn't. Only had if over the winter so never turned it that far. The temp control will have the Max A/C at the lowest setting with this feature.
Early 2nd gen.

Late 2nd gen.

 

I agree with Pat (OP), My old Taco nor other vehicles didn't do it, so now this one does & it is aggravating. Not a big deal, but like with the head lights. If I want them on I'll turn them on, If I want my doors locked I'll lock my doors, & if I want my A/C on, I'll turn it on, I don't need anyone else to do it for me. Heck, now my wife's got too lazy to put the key in the ign. her newer Rav 4 has no ign. key. & I hate it also.

 

Wow